Zingiberaceae, the ginger family is known for its prominent members such as ginger, cardamom, turmeric, galangal, Indian arrowroot, white turmeric or zedoary, and Myoga ginger or Japanese ginger. Ginger family is a group of about 1600 identified, flowering plant species that are grouped across 50 plant genera. Almost all members of ginger family are widely distributed throughout tropical South East Asian countries, tropical Africa, and the Americas.
Plants belonging to the family Zingiberaceae are a group of low-growing, (some plants reach up to one meter in height), aromatic perennial herbaceous plants. The basal sheaths of the plant overlap to form a pseudostem, which a characteristic feature of all members of the ginger family. Another major distinguishing feature of these plants is their flowers. Flowers are hermaphroditic and zygomorphic and are borne in determinate cymose inflorescences. Large, conspicuous, green-coloured bracts are spirally arranged, enfolding flowers. The perianth or the outer part of the flower is composed of two whorls, a fused tubular calyx, and a tubular corolla.
Commercially important plants such as ginger and turmeric are often grown as annual herbs and their edible rhizomes are often harvested after 9-10 months of growing.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale), cardamom (Amomum elettaria) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) are often grown as food and medicinal crops. However, a large number of ginger family members are grown as ornamental plants. Major ornamental plants are Alpinia spp., Curcuma alismatifolia, Curcuma zeodaria, and Ginger Lily (Hedychium spp.)
Among plants belonging to Alpinia species, Alpinia purpurata or Red Ginger Plant is a highly popular ornamental plant among the gardeners and florists for its large, showy and attractive flowers which are widely used in various types of fresh flower arrangements. Red ginger plant is native to Malaysia and surrounding regions.
Another popular ornamental plant in the tropical gardens across the world is “ginger lily”. It is also known as garland flower. Ginger lily belongs to the genus “Hedychium” of the Zingiberaceae family. Ginger lilies are known for its white, fragrant flowers.
Curcuma zedoaria is also known as white turmeric or zedoary. It is popular as a house plant in many tropical countries including India. Its rhizomes may be used for food purposes also. In India, its fresh rhizomes are peeled and cleaned before slicing them. The thin slices of zedoary are then used for making various types of pickles. In Indonesia and other South East Asian countries, zedoary rhizomes are dried and powdered to make zedoary powder. Zedoary powder may be used as a spice. It is an ingredient in many curry pastes also. Zedoary powder is used as a spice in many Western countries. In Thailand, fresh zedoary rhizomes are used in fresh salads for raw consumption.
There are some prominent medicinal plants as well. Major medicinal plants in the ginger family include members like Galangal or Thai ginger (Alpinia galangal) and Myoga (Zingiber mioga).
Galangal is also known as “Thai Ginger” because of its extensive use in various Thai cuisines. Galangal is available in the market as fresh rhizomes, galangal powder, and dried rhizomes. Galangal powder is widely used in traditional Chinese medicines.
Myoga ginger is a traditional crop in Japan and therefore also known as “Japanese Ginger”. It is very popular in China and Korea also. Myoga is believed to have anticarcinogenic properties. In Myoga ginger, tender and flavorful flower buds and shoots are used for edible purposes.
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